Spiritual Transformation Stories

[Sarah143]

I'm on a new spiritual journey.

Do you have any spiritual transformation stories of Burning Man you could share with me?

- Peace & Love

[AntiM]

Moderator note: moved to Stories forum as this is the best place for well, stories.

[Token]

What in the world is a "spiritual journey"?

I don't think I had one of those, let alone a new one.

[Dr. Pyro]

I had one once at Hedonism II in Jamaica. It lasted a week.

[Dr Helix]

Comedian Daniel Tosh on being "spiritual"

"Ever hear a girl say, "I'm not religious but I'm spiritual." I reply, "Well I'm not honest, but you're really interesting."

[Token]

I had one once at Hedonism II in Jamaica. It lasted a week.

I thought it was a 10-day treatment course at the very least, usually two weeks.

[ygmir]

I had one once at Hedonism II in Jamaica. It lasted a week.

how'd you get your RV to Jamaica?

[Token]

Jokes aside, I still don't really know what a "spiritual journey" means.

I can grasp some vague understanding, could very likely use it in a scentance and not sound too foolish, but fundamentally do not understand its meaning.

There is clearly some positive outcome, or at least an expectation. How do you know if it you are successful?

It's not just a bunch of things that make you feel good. I can get a massage, take in a comedy show and laugh, eat a custard filled chocolate eclair and feel darn good about things, but that ain't it.

I can take up a hobby, learn a new craft, discuss the nature of the universe with an astrophysicist, but that is learning. A good thing but not a spiritual journey, right?

Or is this some kind of code for consuming large quantities of mind altering drugs?

[BBadger]

Placebo is one hell of a drug!

[GreyCoyote]

Placebo is one hell of a drug!

For some odd reason I just flashed on Deepak Chopra handing out water bottles to impressionable sparkleponies at the temple...

I'll shut up now.

No. Fuck it, I wont.

[BBadger]

No. Fuck it, I wont.

Never stop!

[AntiM]

Jokes aside, I still don't really know what a "spiritual journey" means.

I can grasp some vague understanding, could very likely use it in a scentance and not sound too foolish, but fundamentally do not understand its meaning.

There is clearly some positive outcome, or at least an expectation. How do you know if it you are successful?

It's not just a bunch of things that make you feel good. I can get a massage, take in a comedy show and laugh, eat a custard filled chocolate eclair and feel darn good about things, but that ain't it.

I can take up a hobby, learn a new craft, discuss the nature of the universe with an astrophysicist, but that is learning. A good thing but not a spiritual journey, right?

Or is this some kind of code for consuming large quantities of mind altering drugs?

Oh hell, I can take a shot at it, or at least my fuzzy-wuzzy thinking on the subject.

You know that person you hold your inner dialog with? I call that the meta-self, and that is subdivided into whatever you are concerned with at the moment. There's the self concerned with the physical (that itches, I should eat more veggies, I hate my eyebrows), a practical self (the electric bill is overdue, tires need rotating, I need to save for tickets), and so on. Lots of selves, yet all one person. So there's a part of self which thinks about spiritual things; religion, ethics, the supernatural, there are many subjects which can be slotted in there. Even atheism is a spiritual topic, and certainly art. Of course it differs person to person.

To me, a spiritual journey is that experience, or set of experiences, which brings a fundamental change to the dialog held with one's inner self concerned with spiritual topics, and which alters the dialog of the other selves. A new way to see the world, a universal change in worldview, an examination and rearranging of personal values. Yes, this could be achieve through drugs, but that is just one example. Losing one's child hood delusions, or one's religion, could be other examples. Is enlightenment a key element? I do not think so, but I bet many others consider it so.

Eating an eclair might not be a spiritual journey, but if that experience leads to baking classes and opening a foodtruck, and joy is found, that eclair was the first step on a spiritual journey.

Taking up a hobby might not be a spiritual journey, but learning to relax through that hobby, budgeting for it, sharing it with friends, that might be a spiritual journey.

Burning Man can offer opportunities for such a journey into art, gifting, and community, but to expect sudden enlightenment on a dusty camping trip with art is asking for disappointment. Although disappointment and disillusionment can be their own journeys. Not saying it must be a positive thing. You can learn a lot from having ideals dashed.

Has Burning Man changed my life? Fuck yes, look what I do here every day, and my art. You betcha. Have the people made a difference? Most certainly. Am I enlightened? Nope. I pick up more litter and gift more often, if that counts.

[Traveller in Time]

I like the concept of those personality assembling selves, it is compatible with my model of the every day experience adding and creating a slightly new personality.

Hmm, was that a spiritual Journey?

[AntiM]

I like the concept of those personality assembling selves, it is compatible with my model of the every day experience adding and creating a slightly new personality.

Hmm, was that a spiritual Journey?

Maybe a step in an ongoing one. Or a beginning. Or a bit of undigested beef.